KARACHI: Nuclear scientist Dr A.Q. Khan has said that Pakistan is a developing country which needs to introduce academic reforms across the country to ensure that its students performed with the best of their abilities and skills.

Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony of the third poster presentation competition for students of MPhil and PhD, organised by Dr A.Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Dr Khan said that competitions and other academic activities were integral part of students’ training to bring out the finest of their skills and talents. He said that biotechnology in this era of scientific and technological advancements had both commercial and economic importance and it needed to be integrated into research and development sector. In order to increase the yield and improve the quality of crops and pharmaceutics and to bring their prices down, with an uncompromised quality, there was a need to understand the importance of currently utilised tools and techniques worldwide, he added.

He said that researches which were being conducted at institutes had immense potential applications, which should be promoted on a large scale to provide economic edge and to compete with developed countries.

Karachi University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Muhammad Ajmal Khan in his message said that it was imperative for all departments of the university to follow the criterion set by KIBGE for its students to present their ideas and work.

He said that hard works of the students of Pakistan was not only recognised and appreciated in the country but also across the world.

Prof Ajmal said that the University of Karachi encouraged its students to explore their talents by providing them with various platforms, which they could effectively use to flourish and promote their ideas.

Renowned industrialist Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan said that KIBGE was recognised worldwide due to merit.

Dean of Faculty of Science, Prof Tasneem Adam Ali, said that it was heartening to see educational institutes realising the importance of such productive activities in the curricula. Later, Dr A.Q. Khan awarded certificates and awards at the end of the ceremony. Sohail Ahmed secured first position, Hiba Saleem clinched second position and Hira Yaqoob came third in the poster presentation competition for students of MPhil and PhD.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2018